Goodwill Foundation celebrated local community heroes at their recent Ambassador of the Year Awards Luncheon.
With 212 community leaders gathered together, Goodwill recognized the incredible individuals and organizations who embody the spirit of community service and changing lives through the power of work.
The event featured welcome messages by Vice President of Engagement Melissa Carman and President & CEO Donn Githens, the presentation of colors by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard from the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion in Tampa, the invocation by Rev. Dr. Timothy Boggess, a “did you know?” overview of Goodwill’s work by Vice President of Mission Services Margie Genter, and the presentation of awards.
Each honoree was recognized through heartfelt video testimonials prior to accepting their awards. Among the incredible 2024 honorees was our very own Cliff Walters:
Community Leader of the Year:
Cliff Walters, a Principal of Blalock Walters, P.A., is a respected and loyal legal advisor in Manatee and Sarasota counties with an extensive record of service to our community. Walters has served as past president or chair of many of the area’s major charitable, cultural, and education institutions, and has earned many honors for his contributions. He has a long history of service and leadership with the organization and currently serves as legal counsel for the Board of Directors at Goodwill.
Community Partners of the Year:
Goodwill Manasota is a longtime partner of All Faiths Food Bank and Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, collecting non-perishable food items at all its donation locations for the benefit of these organizations. In 2023, Goodwill collected 233,166 pounds of food to assist our neighbors in Sarasota and Manatee counties who are experiencing hunger. The Community Partner of the Year Awards were accepted by Nelle S. Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank, and Maribeth Phillips, president & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee.
Veteran Advocate of the Year:
Janine “Mama” Lutz, a social rights activist, public speaker, businesswoman, philanthropist, and founder of the LCpl Janos V Lutz Live to Tell Foundation, which was created in honor of her son, Johnny, after his death in 2013 due to pharmaceutical-induced suicide. Lutz has turned tragedy into triumph: she is a voice for the betterment of the lives of active military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Her Lutz Buddy Up social clubs connect hundreds of participants – including locally in Sarasota-Manatee, through Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services program – build stronger communities, and save countless lives.
Additionally, Goodwill presented its second-ever Robert W. Rosinsky Achievement Award – made possible by the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust and affectionately known as “The Rosy” – to Sherry Hendrickson. The leadership team selects this honoree; Hendrickson was chosen for her “challenge-accepted attitude” and role model status with her co-workers.
Goodwill Manasota employs more than 1,500 people, 70% of whom have some type of disability or disadvantaging circumstance. To achieve its mission of changing lives through the power of work, the organization generates revenue through its retail operations; 97% of its mission funding comes through the sale of goods donated by the community. For more about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org.
